College Football 2011: The Top 50 FBS Coaches

Coaching is one of the most debated and talked about things in college football.  It is among the most contentious topics, along with the BCS, the Heisman and conference re-alignment.

College football is special due to the ever-changing coaching landscape.  Every year there is a new "hot" coach, and several others ascend the ranks from the lower conferences, to BCS conference prestige. 

With new coaches brings new schemes, attitudes and hopes of National Championship glory. 

Remember, Les Miles, Brian Kelly, Bo Pelini and nearly everyone else, were once coordinators or coaches at smaller schools. 

Coaching has become a "what have you done for me lately" business.  With that mindset, I have ranked the top 50 coaches based on who I would choose to coach my team today.

Since nearly all coaches can be looked at in a positive and negative light, I have included why the coach should be ranked higher, and why they could be ranked lower.  The "higher" part represents the most optimistic outlook, while the "lower" represents the most pessimistic. 

Admittedly, ranking the new coaches is a bit tougher.  I tried to wait off on doing an article like this to give the first year coaches enough games to show what they have.  If I waited the whole season, then a few coaches would be out, a new wave in, and it would be impossible to proceed from there. 

Therefore, I ranked the new coaches based on their first season, and as their time as coordinators.  That being said, please take their rankings with a grain of salt.

Enjoy!

50. Howard Schnellenberger

The sentimental pick at 50.

Why he should be higher:  Schnellenberger put "The U" on the map in 1984 with an upset win over Nebraska and a National Title.  There won't be many more men on this list who have national titles.

Then, he put Florida Atlantic more literally on the map, as he oversaw the creation of the football program.  He led the Owls to two bowl games, both victories, in his short time at FAU.

Why he should be lower:  The Owls are 9-15 the past two years, and are off to an 0-4 start.  Schnellenberger is retiring at the end of the year.

49. Bronco Mendenhall

Why he should be higher:  Consistency is the name of the game with BYU under Mendenhall.  He has led the Cougars to six bowl games in six years.  From 2006-2009, he posted four straight double-digit wins.  Beat No. 3 Oklahoma in 2009 opening game.

Why he should be lower: Never cashed in fully on talent he had in Provo.  BYU was a BCS contender for a few years, and the Cougars never did any better than a Las Vegas Bowl.  Lost out to Utah and TCU when it mattered.

48. Mike Sherman

Why he should be higher:  Led A&M to a nine win season and a birth in the Cotton Bowl last year.  Won last six games in 2010, including wins over Oklahoma, Nebraska and rival Texas.

Why he should be lower: Underachieved in first two season at Texas A&M.  Got destroyed in both bowl games; 2010 Independence to Georgia, and 2011 Cotton to LSU.  Has blown two consecutive games in 2011.

47. Tim Beckman

Why he should be higher: Coach Beckman is slowly building something at Toledo.  After taking over and going 5-7 in his inaugural season, the Rockets went 8-5 in his second year. 

This year, the Rockets have played a murderer's row (at Ohio State, at Boise State), but are appearing as the MAC favorites.  Building a nice team in Toledo, but it won't be long until major conferences come calling.

Why he should be lower:  Not quite there yet.  Lost to biggest contender, Northern Illinois, by 35 last year.  Was unable to come away with close wins against Ohio State, or FIU in the Little Caesar's Bowl last year.

46. Derek Dooley

Why he should be higher:  Inherited difficult situation at Tennessee and led them to a bowl.  Could be 7-6, or even 8-5, if not for late game oddities against LSU and UNC.  Led Louisiana Tech to a bowl win in 2008.

Why he should be lower:  Didn't win any games he shouldn't have at Tennessee; was favored in all six wins.  Only went 3-5 in conference games, which will be continue to be as difficult as the years go on. 

45. Rich Ellerson

Why he should be higher:  Led Army to their first bowl game in fourteen years, and only second bowl game in 23 years!  Army had won 13 games in previous four seasons, and in two seasons under Ellerson, they won 12.

Why he should be lower:  A special teams flub cost them a game against Hawaii last year.  Still hasn't beaten Air Force or Navy. 

44. Jimbo Fisher

Why he should be higher: Led the Seminoles to their first double-digit winning campaign in seven campaigns.  Great recruiting classes have FSU loaded for years to come. 

Why he should be lower:  High hopes in 2011 already quashed with losses to Clemson and Oklahoma.  Needs to regroup team in order to be successful in ACC play.

43. Ken Niumatalolo

Why he should be higher: Has led the Midshipmen to three straight winning seasons, including a 10 win campaign in 2009.  Has beaten Notre Dame two out of three years.  Nearly upset South Carolina this year.

Why he should be lower: Has lost to Air Force two straight years.  Is only 1-2 in bowl games. 

42. Mike Riley

Why he should be higher: Played for the Pac-10 title consecutive years in 2008 and 2009.  Totaled 36 wins over four years from 2006-2009.  Beat USC twice in three years.  5-1 in bowl games.

Why he should be lower:  Off to an awful start after a losing season last year.  Lost both of the aforementioned Pac-10 "title" games against Oregon.  Team notorious for slow starts and strong finishes, but they are currently trending down in a major way.

41. Larry Blakeney

Why he should be higher:  Built Troy in a recognizable name, and a winning program.  Has coached Trojans for 21 years, and has five straight eight-plus win seasons.  Has won or shared Sun Belt title five years in a row.  Has taken on toughest competition, and held its own (three point loss last year to Oklahoma State).

Why he should be lower:  Only 2-3 in bowl games. Has not taken team to next level and beaten a ranked opponent. Has most talent in Sun Belt.

40. Bo Pelini

Why he should be higher:  Led the Huskers to two straight Big 12 Title Games.  Stayed competitive against No. 3 Texas as heavy underdogs in 2009 (and could have won if not clock issue).  Has won 29 games in three seasons with Huskers.

Why he should be lower:  Defensive coach that suddenly has a team not playing any defense.  Let last season get away from him, losing three of last four amidst controversy with QB Martinez.  Lost to Washington in the Holiday Bowl after destroying them earlier in season.

39. Todd Graham

Why he should be higher:  Led Tulsa to three double-digit win seasons in four years!  3-0 in bowl games at Tulsa.  Mastermind of innovative offense.  Already has win against ranked South Florida.

Why he should be lower: Blew large lead against Iowa, and was unable to move ball against Notre Dame.  Never won C-USA title, despite the high quality teams.

38. Paul Rhoads

Why he should be higher:  Did something Gene Chizik never did at Iowa State—have a winning season.  Won 2009 Insight Bowl as Cyclones went 7-6.  Got win over Iowa this year, and beat No. 20 Texas last season.  Off to another strong start in 2011, sitting at 3-1. 

Why he should be lower:  Won with Chizik's players.  Followed up winning season with a losing one.  Lost game as favorites against Colorado last year that would have sent ISU to second straight bowl.

37. Will Muschamp

Why he should be higher:  Defensive guru who has won a title as a coordinator (2003 LSU).  Has brought his intensity to Florida in the form of a 4-1 start.

Why he should be lower:  Defense played below their level last year at Texas.  Failed first big test against Alabama last week.  Will be tested throughout season with Brantley's health in question.

36. Dana Holgorsen

Why he should be higher:  Has produced insane offensive numbers every place he has gone.  Led high powered offenses at Oklahoma State, Houston and Texas Tech.  Has instantly made West Virginia into a contender again.  Has done a good job handling transition to Head Coach, and all the controversy that went with it.

Why he should be lower: Got rude welcome to head coaching with game against LSU.  Nearly blew big lead against Maryland. 

35. Dan Mullen

Why he should be higher:  Led Mississippi State to a nine win season, in the toughest division, in only his second season.  Beat Florida on the road.  Destroyed Michigan in Gator Bowl.  Offensive minded coach has the Bulldogs on the up-swing.

Why he should be lower:  Already a rough start in 2011, losing to LSU, Auburn and Georgia.  Other than Florida last year, the Bulldogs have beaten the teams they're supposed to beat, and lost to teams they're supposed to lose to.

34. Brady Hoke

Why he should be higher:  Turned San Diego State around with a nine win season in his second season.  It was the Aztecs' second bowl game in 12 years.  Led Ball State to 12-2 season and first ever national ranking in 2008. Has Michigan sitting at 5-0, and has them looking like best team in the Legends division.

Why he should be lower:  Could be called a two hit wonder, with his turnarounds at Ball State in '08 and San Diego State in '10.  He is 47-50 overall in his career.  Without the two seasons, he is 26-44. 

33. Chip Kelly

Why he should be higher: Went undefeated last year and led Oregon to national championship.  The year before, he led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl.   Innovator of turbo offense.  22-4 in two seasons at Oregon.  Has Ducks ranking in tops of all offensive rankings.

Why he should be lower:  Hasn't beaten a team he wasn't supposed to, yet.  Inherited a lot of talent from Mike Bellotti.  Yet to prove they can beat a team with more physical talent.  0-2 in bowl games.  

32. Jim Grobe

Why he should be higher:  He led the Demon Deacons to an Orange Bowl berth in 2006, and two bowl games after that.  The Deacons had been in only two bowl games the previous seven years.  Considered one of the game's best technicians, and he has Wake off to another good start.

Why he should be lower: Back-to-back losing seasons had Wake fans coming back down to Earth.  Team went 1-9 in final 10 last year. 

31. Tommy Tuberville

Why he should be higher:  Quietly achieving success at Texas Tech.  Has the Red Raiders off to a 4-0 start, and primed to be a threat in Big 12 play.  Led Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004, but wasn't allowed to play for title thanks to BCS.  Had 11 win season in 2006

Why he should be lower:  Had some growing pains last year, losing as favorites against Oklahoma State and Iowa State.  Had 5-7 season at Auburn in 2008, after starting ranked No. 10 preseason.  

30. Skip Holtz

Why he should be higher: Built consistent contender at ECU, winning two straight C-USA titles.  Made transition to USF well, and has them looking to contend for a Big East title.  Beat Notre Dame on road.

Why he should be lower:  Went 3-4 in conference play last year, including 31-0 shutout loss to Rutgers as 2.5 point favorites.  Off to bad start in conference play again this year, losing to Pitt. 

29. Al Golden

Why he should be higher:  Made Temple into a football school.  Led Owls to 2009 EagleBank Bowl when previous bowl was 1979 Garden State Bowl.  Were oddly un-invited to bowl game despite 8-4 2010 season.  Owls had three wins in three years previous to Golden taking over.

Why he should be lower:  Tough to gauge start at Miami.  They are 2-2, with a win over Ohio State, but sanctions may have hurt play against Maryland and Kansas State.  Overall, he may be shadowed by the dark cloud Miami has set for him.  We all know, however, that isn't his fault.

28. Art Briles

Why he should be higher:  Without him, we don't know the names Robert Griffin III, or Case Keenum (he recruited him while at Houston).  Major offensive numbers put up at Houston, culminating in 2006 C-USA berth.  Led Baylor to first bowl berth in 16 years, and has everyone talking about Robert Griffin for Heisman.

Why he should be lower:  Apparently, hasn't hired defensive coordinator for his clubs.  Too offensive minded.  0-4 in Bowl Games, including the beating they took against Illinois last year.

27. Mark Dantonio

Why he should be higher:  Led Michigan State to an 11-1 record in the Big Ten in 2010, good for a share of the Big Ten Championship. Has beaten Notre Dame in three of five tries, and is 3-1 against Michigan.

Why he should be lower:  Finished only 19-17 at Cincinnati before being hired at Michigan State.  1-4 in Bowl Games, including last year's drubbing against Alabama.

26. Mario Cristobal

Why he should be higher:  FIU has existed for just seven years.  In the year before Cristobal took over, they were 0-12.  His first year (2007), 1-11.  Last year, 7-6, with a bowl win over Toledo.  Now, they are a serious threat to win the Sun Belt.  They have done a good job recruiting players from Florida, despite the other big name universities in the area.

Why he should be lower:  Still only has one winning season under his belt, and it came in the Sun Belt. 

25. Gary Pinkel

Why he should be higher:  Had the No. 1 ranked team entering the final week in 2007.  After loss, was screwed out of BCS berth in lieu of Kansas.  Despite perception that Mizzou has been "down," they've won 10 games or more three of the last four years.  Made a contender out of Mizzou when going against names like Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska.

Why he should be lower:   Has never been to a BCS bowl game.  Has never won a Big 12 title.  Has never won a Big 12 North division title (and never will, since it doesn't exist anymore).  Iced his own kicker twice at the end of regulation against Arizona State this year.

24. Bobby Petrino

Why he should be higher:  Led Louisville to an Orange Bowl and a combined 41 wins in four seasons!  Led Arkansas to a Sugar Bowl last year in just his third season.  Is 2-1 against LSU.

Why he should be lower: Arkansas was good in the years preceding Petrino taking over, and he hasn't really improved their status much.  Has not beaten Alabama or Florida. 

23. Brian Kelly

Why he should be higher:  Kelly went an astounding 33-7 in three years at Cincinnati.  He led the Bearcats to back-to-back BCS bowl berths.  In 2009, they entered the Sugar Bowl ranked No. 4 in the nation.

Why he should be lower:  Has not produced the results ND fans wanted thus far.  0-2 vs Michigan.  Lost to Navy and Tulsa.  There have been some late game meltdowns that Kelly has shifted the responsibility onto solely his players' shoulders.

22. Joe Paterno

Why he should be higher:   Has kept Penn State relevant in the past few years, winning 29 games in past three years.  Won Big Ten title three years ago.  Is the all time winningest coach.

Why he should be lower:  Injuries have placed him in the press box, and as a result, he cannot communicate effectively with his team.  Was favored in every game in 2009, but lost two. 

21. June Jones

Why he should be higher: Built powerhouse at Hawaii, culminating in 12-0 season and a Sugar Bowl berth.  Consistently produces one of the top offenses in the nation.  Has led SMU to two straight bowls, after they had been absent for the previous twenty-five years!  Off to another good start in 2011.

Why he should be lower:  Doesn't believe much in defense, or scheduling big name teams.  Is 0-4 in last three years against ranked teams.  Going back to Hawaii, he's 1-5 (they beat Boise in 2007, 39-27).

20. Kyle Whittingham

Why he should be higher: Utah has won 10 or more games three straight years.  They might have had the best team in 2008, when they went 13-0.  That year, they dismantled Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Has a contender for the Pac-12 South division this year.

Why he should be lower:  The Utes have lost out to TCU for the Mountain West title the past two seasons.  Got destroyed by superior competition last year (ND, TCU and Boise State), while beating out equal or inferior teams. 

19. Frank Solich

Why he should be higher:  Led the Huskers to a National Championship game in 2001.  Was oddly fired after a 10-3 season in 2003.  Has turned Ohio into perennial MAC contenders.  In just his second year, led Ohio to first bowl game in 38 years!

Why he should be lower:  Still hasn't won a MAC title.  Got to the National Championship based on a BCS flaw.  Is only 2-6 in bowl games.

18. Steve Sarkisian

Why he should be higher:  Inherited Washington team at its all time worst.  Coming off an 0-12 season, he turned Washington into a 5-7 team, including a win over USC. 

The next year, he beat USC again, and beat Nebraska in a bowl game after losing to them early in the season—the first bowl game in eight years.  He has Washington off to a 4-1 start and are a sneaky sleeper in the Pac-12.

Why he should be lower:  Had a rough stretch in the middle of the season last year, losing to ASU, Arizona, Stanford and Oregon.  Still, the team improved, and won the games they were supposed to, and then some.

17. Gene Chizik

Why he should be higher:  Did lead Auburn to a national championship last year.  Led team to win at Alabama after falling behind big, early.  Won five games by less than seven points last year.

Why he should be lower:  Was fired from Iowa State for ineptitude.  Went 5-19 in two seasons with the Cyclones.  Two years later, he's a national champion. 

16. Bill Snyder

Why he should be higher:  He's the fifth longest tenured coach at one university, despite taking a three year "break."  Had the best team for 11 weeks in 1998, and was one game away from playing for the inaugural BCS title game.  Returned to Fiesta Bowl in 2003 after upsetting No. 1 Oklahoma.  Is 13-12 in first two seasons back with Kansas State, and is off with a 4-0 start in 2011.

Why he should be lower:  Was theoretically fired just six years ago.  Went 9-13 in his final two years at Kansas State.  Winless against ranked teams since his return.

15. Paul Johnson

Why he should be higher:  Led Navy to five straight bowl games.  Built program from close to scratch.  Led Georgia Tech to ACC Title and Orange Bowl berth.  Has GT 5-0 this year, and primed for another run at a BCS berth.  Leader of innovative triple option offense.

Why he should be lower:  Potential benefit of schematic offense.  Does not fare well against teams when they have multiple weeks to prepare (2-5 in bowls).  Lost to Iowa in Orange Bowl, and Air Force in Independence.  Took major step back last year.

14. Kirk Ferentz

Why he should be higher:  Has led the Hawkeyes to two BCS bowl games in the past decade.  89-60 at Iowa in 13 years.  Always a threat to pull an upset, or turn Iowa into a contender.  Beat No. 3 Penn State in 2008.  Beat No. 5 Penn State in 2009 and No. 5 Michigan State in 2010.  6-3 in bowl games.

Why he should be lower:  Has never won outright Big Ten title and made it to the Rose Bowl.  Had tough stretch from 2005-2008 where he was "only" 28-22. 

13. Steve Spurrier

Why he should be higher:  One of the most successful coaches of the 1990s.  Won a National Title with Florida in 1996.  Known as a quarterback coach that produces large offensive numbers.  Built Florida dynasty.

Why he should be lower:  Is only 42-33 at South Carolina.  Has only won one SEC East division title.  Has made zero BCS bowl games.  Has not developed the talent like many hoped he had.  Off to disappointing start in 2011.  Has lost three straight bowl games.

12. Dennis Erickson

Why he should be higher:  Won two National Championships at Miami.  Led Oregon State to a Fiesta Bowl win in 2001, where he coached both Chad Ochocinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  141-74-1 all time record. 

Why he should be lower:  Still only one winning season out of four at Arizona State.  2010 team played tough against quality opponents, but fell to inferior ones.  Team still makes mental mistakes. 

11. Mack Brown

Why he should be higher:  Led Texas to National Championship in 2005.  Achieved double-digit victories every single year from 2001-2009.  Contender for National Championship seemingly every year. 

Why he should be lower:  Plethora of talent implies that Texas should be in competition for title every year.  Started ranked No. 5 last year, and finished below .500.  Has had only two BCS berths since Vince Young graduated.

10. Frank Beamer

Why he should be higher:  Has won the ACC in three of the last four years.  Has the Hokies competing for a BCS berth every single year.  198-95-2 all time.  Worst season in past nine was in 2003, when he only won eight games.

Why he should be lower:  Lost to James Madison last year.  Has not been in contention for National Championship since 2005.  Seem to play to level of competition at times.

9. Chris Ault

Why he should be higher:   Ault is practicing his 27th year at Nevada.  Invented pistol offense, which has garnered wide-spread attention.  13-1 season last year included win over Boise State. 

Why he should be lower:  Even with great season last year, he is just 56-34 at Nevada, a WAC team.  Lost game at Hawaii last year, otherwise would have been undefeated.  Was shutout against Notre Dame in 2009.  He refuses to take position at bigger name school, but why do that, when you can change the way they play forever (read: pistol offense).

8. George O' Leary

Why he should be higher:  Has turned UCF into a powerhouse.  Has won two C-USA titles in four years.  Has taken UCF from a doormat to a team that can compete with any team in Florida in just five-six years. Has produced one of the best defenses the past few years.

Why he should be lower:  Was on his way to becoming Notre Dame coach when it was revealed he lied on his resume.  Between winning C-USA titles, the Knights went 12-13 in two years.  Yet to develop consistent threat in Orlando.

7. Bob Stoops

Why he should be higher:  Won National Championship in his second year in Oklahoma.  Earned moniker "Big Game Bob" for his propensity to beat Texas and win bowl games.  Consistently has Oklahoma as a National Championship contender.

Why he should be lower:  Has not won title since 2000.  Lost five straight BCS bowl games from 2003 to 2008.  Lost four out of five to Texas from 2005 to 2009.  The "big game" moniker turned out to be false.

6. Mike Gundy

Why he should be higher:  Consistently over-achieves with Oklahoma State.  Twenty-nine wins in the past three years.  Competes for Big 12 Title despite having less talent than Oklahoma, Texas and even Texas A&M.  Offensive guru.  Beat No. 3 Mizzou on the road in 2008.

Why he should be lower:  Still hasn't won Big 12 Title, or Big 12 South Title.  Has never beaten Oklahoma.  Beat Texas only once in six tries.  That's a combined 1-11 against OU and UT.

5. Bret Bielema

Why he should be higher:  Bielema inherited a successful program from Barry Alvarez, and has had no trouble maintaining success.  Won Big Ten title last year.  Has won 49 games the past five years.  2-3 in bowl games, despite being underdogs in all of them.  Always exceeds expectations.

Why he should be lower:  Has only won one Big Ten title.  Lost at Michigan State as favorites last year.  Lost to Iowa and Northwestern as favorites the year before. 

4. Les Miles

Why he should be higher:  Won National Championship in 2007.  Sixty-two wins in six years.  Has won more than 10 games four of his six years at LSU.  Has team primed for another championship this year. 

Why he should be lower:  Hasn't been to a BCS game since the 2007 title.  Followed Championship with just a 17-9 record over two years.  Was first team to win title with two losses.  Clock management has been...suspect. 

3. Gary Patterson

Why he should be higher:  Considered by many to be the best, Patterson is 98-28 in 11 years at TCU!  Has gone 36-3 in the past three years, culminating with an undefeated season last year. 

Had potential to beat Auburn or Oregon and claim themselves as best team in the nation last year.  Has won back-to-back Mountain West Titles.  Beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.  Beat No. 7 Oklahoma as 25 point underdogs in 2005.  Made Andy Dalton into an NFL quarterback.

Why he should be lower:  "Only" went 8-5 in 2007 when they were ranked No. 22 preseason.  Lost in the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State in 2009.  Other than that, I got nothing.

2. Chris Petersen

Why he should be higher:  Inherited team from Dan Hawkins in 2006, but really took it to next level.  61-5 in five years!  2-0 in BCS games (2006 Oklahoma, 2009 TCU).  Won WAC title in four of five years. 

Constantly in discussion for National Championship consideration.  Has beaten every team who dared played them.  Georgia in 2011.  Virginia Tech and Oregon State in 2010.  Oregon in 2009.  Oregon in 2006.

Why he should be lower:  He could have beaten TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl, I suppose.  Or Nevada last year.  Or, one of the other three games he lost.  Otherwise, he's spotless.

1. Nick Saban

Why he should be higher:  He can't be, but...he's 43-11 in four seasons at Alabama.  He's only lost five games in the past three years.  He's won a National Title (to go with the one he has from LSU).  Comes up with best schemes to take away opponents' strengths.  He is only current coach to have two national championships.

Why he should be lower:  He has the name "Alabama" to attract the best talent.  He lost three games last year despite being ranked No. 1 preseason.  And...anything you can make up, it isn't good enough.  Saban is the best coach.